Preservative Cap-5

This broad-spectrum preservative is a paraben-free and formaldehyde-free product which preserves against a variety of nasties. Here is the short and sweet:

+ Highly effective broad spectrum antimicrobial
+ Effective at pH levels below 6.0
+ Non-formaldehyde donor
+ Paraben-free
+ Very Mild. Our vendor advises thatthis product has been tested by a major cosmetic manufacturer for use in their mascaras and itfound to be the least irritating of all the preservatives they tested.
+ Compatible with most raw materials, including water and oil phase products

In Lotions, Creams and Similar:
Cap 5 is particularly recommended for lotions, creams and similar. It disperses in both water and oil phase ingredients and so is appropriate for all kinds of lotions, creams, shampoos at a recommended use level of 0.5 - 1.5% by weight.

In a Pressed Powder:
We recommend you add the preservative to the liquid binder you are using (such as jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, a silicone blend, our MyMix Liquid Binder) at a use level of 0.1% - 0.2% by weight. You do not need as much preservative in a pressed powder simply because there is no water phase in a pressed powder. Also, as this preservative is based on the alcohol Phenoxyethanol, there is a chance of irritation if used in pressed eye shadows.

In a Loose Powder:
In theory you could add the preservative at a use level of 0.1% - 0.2% by weight so long as you are using a LOTof grinding, but in home use the concern would be not enough mixing which results in preservative "hot spots". It is better if you mix the preservative with a little jojoba oil or similar and then add this product to your loose powder. In this way you reduce the chance of hot spots. Note that adding an oil or similar wetting agent to a loose powder is often a good idea anyway, as it keeps the dusting down. Finally, as this preservative is based on the alcohol Phenoxyethanol, there is a chance of irritation if used in eye shadows.

In Lip Products:
Normally on lip products, and depends on the water level in your formula (if there is any), 0.8-1.0% should be sufficient in preserving your product.

In all cases, shake well before adding.

The INCIfor the product is: Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol. The Caprylyl and Hexylene Glycols are the liquid carriers. They are there simply to disperse the active ingredients. The active ingredients in the product are:

Phenoxyethanol (35-45%). This ingredient is a bactericide preservative.

Potassium Sorbate (8 - 15%) This ingredient is an anti-fungal and anti-microbial agent that converts into sorbic acid at low pH.

I cannot do without a variety of preservatives, but I reach for Cap-5 before almost anything else, at the moment. It's paraben free and while I, personally have no issues with parabens, some of my customers are afraid of them. I use this in many things that are at the lower end of the PH range. I can't use it in my vinegar hair rinse mix, but that's tough to find a preservative for. I can use it in my anhydreous bath scrubs and it's holding up well, in my current, "does it get fuzzy?" test. After four weeks in a rather humid environment, nothing green has arrived on my scrub bars and I fully expect them to pass the microbe test I plan to do at the end of two months (will let you know). This is wonderful in loose powder grinds, when I mix it with jojoba oil and vitamin E. I'm not bothered by possible nasties in my Rice Powder Veils now. WOOHOO!!! Thank you, so much TKB for making that five pounds of rice powder more usable for me. I can now formulate with confidence. As always, no preservative should be used with the idea that it gets rid of things in your base products. Formulate with care in a clean enviroment and you will have a lovely product. No cross contamination, etc. Make it clean, use the Cap-5 and know it will stay clean and lovely for a nice shelf life, which TKB says is two years.